Home canning is a cherished tradition for many, offering a way to preserve the bounty of the garden and enjoy it year-round. However, improper canning techniques can lead to serious health risks, including botulism, a rare but potentially deadly illness. A botulism outbreak in California earlier this year underscores the
Continue Reading The importance of safe home canning: Avoiding the dangers of improper practices
— OPINION —
When do dark kitchens need the sanitizing light of local consumer safety oversight?
Never, according to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Republican, and Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson. This is the clear message sent to the public when Gianforte signed Hertz’s myopicaly negligent homemade food bill into law May 2 (Senate Bill
Continue Reading Montana: Keep dark kitchens in the light
Italian researchers have looked at botulism trends over two decades including a large outbreak in 2020.
Italy has one of the highest botulism rates in Europe with one factor being a strong home canning tradition in the country. From 1986 to September 2022, 406 botulism incidents involving 599 people were
Continue Reading Study reveals botulism impact in Italy
Whether it was the extra time at home because of the pandemic, DIY trends or rising grocery prices, there has been an increase in home food preservation.
The benefits of home food preservation include storing food when you have more produce than you can eat right away and building a
Continue Reading Penn State Extension offers live webinar canning classes
Public health officials in Washington state are urging people to practice safe procedures for home canning after a man died during the weekend.
The man, from Grays Harbor County, was between 55 and 65 years old, according to a news release from the public health department.
The department has not
Continue Reading Suspected botulism death prompts warning about home-canned food
Two studies in different European countries have both emphasized the need to improve consumer awareness and education to prevent botulism.
The first study looked at epidemiological data on foodborne botulism in Western Romania over the past decade. Botulism poisoning is a rare illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum
Continue Reading Studies stress botulism education in Romania and Italy
Eliminating foodborne botulism in Ukraine will only be possible with an end to home canning and state control of commercial canned products, according to a study.
Researchers assessed foodborne botulism in Ukraine from 1955 to 2018 using national epidemiological surveillance data. In this 63 year period, 8,614 cases were recorded
Continue Reading Researchers look at 60 years of botulism data in Ukraine
Public health officials in Colorado are warning the public to be aware of the dangers of foodborne botulism poisoning amid an investigation of several cases in the state.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports that the botulism patients have all had symptom onset since September. Testing from the
Continue Reading Alert in Colorado warns people to be aware of botulism risks; 5 sick
Editor’s note: As part of our coverage of national Food Safety Education month we publish the following column from STOP Foodborne Illness.
This time of year food lovers’ enjoy one of their favorite traditions: visiting local farmers markets. In addition to all the invigorating colors, exquisite aromas, strong flavors,
Continue Reading STOP shines a light under the baskets and benches at farmers markets
If you’re anything like me, the COVID-19 pandemic has left you with a lot of extra time around the house. For me and many others, this has meant diving into hobbies such as gardening.
This is a new hobby for me and as everything is seemingly ripening at the
Continue Reading Safe methods for canning and garden produce preservation for novices
